| How to Make a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece Posted: 20 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT If you really want to wow your guests this autumn, consider making a succulent pumpkin centerpiece. This combination of color and texture works surprisingly well, and can lend your table an instant, rustic feel. Best of all, you can reuse the succulents once the season is over, and plant them in your garden. Real pumpkins will give you the most organic look, but you can also use fake ones to make a planter for your succulents instead. EditUsing a Real Pumpkin - Choose a Cinderella or fairytale pumpkin. These pumpkins are usually a mottled green-gray-orange color. They have a squashed, lopsided shape with wide ribs, and are labeled as "Cinderella" or "fairytale." For best results, pick a pumpkin with a large dip in the top, where the stem is. You'll be using this dip to "plant" the succulents.[1]
- The size of the pumpkin does not matter. Keep in mind that the smaller the pumpkin, the fewer succulents you'll be able to use.
- You can use this method with fake pumpkins and succulents too. If you are using a fake pumpkin, try to find one that has a large dip in the middle.
- Glue moss to the top of the pumpkin where the dip is. Coat the top of the pumpkin with spray adhesive, then quickly press the moss into it while the glue is still tacky. Use enough moss to fill the dipped area in a ½ to 1-inch (1.2 to 2.5-cm) thick layer. You can use any type of moss you want, but sphagnum moss will work the best.[2]
- Choose and prep your succulents. Pick out a variety of succulents in different shapes, colors, and sizes. Cuttings will be the easiest to work with, but you can use planted ones as well. Be sure to remove them from the soil first, then brush away any dirt to expose the roots.[3]
- How many succulents you pick depends on the size of your pumpkin. The larger the pumpkin, the more succulents you can use. Try to choose an odd number, however.
- Great varieties of succulents include: crassula mesembryanthemoides, crassula ovata gollum, graptosedum "Alpenglow," graptoveria varieties, pachyphytum varieties, and senecio rowleyanus.[4]
- Glue the succulents to the top of the moss. Pick out the three tallest succulents, then glue them into the moss slightly off-center. Work your way towards the edges, keeping the succulents close together. Keep the central succulents perpendicular to the pumpkin and the smaller, outer ones angled outward to create a mounded shape. Make sure that they are all grouped together and touching; this will make your arrangement look fuller.[5]
- For smaller pumpkins and arrangements, pick one big succulent to use as your focal point.[6]
- Clear, gel-based glue will work the best, but you can also use a low-temp hot glue gun instead.
- Add some extra items for color and texture, if desired. Floral items, such as dried flowers, seedpods, or pinecones, will work the best, but you can use other things that suit your theme too. Don't overdo it, however; you want the succulents to be the focus.[7]
- You should be able to just tuck the extra items into the moss and between the succulents. If they are falling out, secure them with hot glue or gel-based glue.
- Mist the succulents with water weekly. You can keep the pumpkin dry and slow down the rotting process by placing it on top of a ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) thick piece of cardboard. Replace the cardboard when it starts to get damp.[8]
- Transplant the succulents once the pumpkin rots. Because you are using a real pumpkin, it will eventually rot. Once that happens, cut the top of the pumpkin off, then place it on top of good-quality soil.[9] Alternatively, you can pick off the succulents, and plant them in the soil directly.
EditUsing a Fake Pumpkin - Buy a fake, craft pumpkin made from foam. You can find these pumpkins in arts and crafts stores around Halloween time. They are made from rigid foam and are hallow inside. You will use this method to turn the pumpkin into a planter for your succulents.
- This method is not recommended for real pumpkins because of their tendency to rot.
- The size of the pumpkin does not really matter. Keep in mind that the larger the pumpkin is, the more succulents you'll be able to fit.
- Use a small pot to trace a circle on top of the pumpkin. Choose a pot that is a little shorter than the pumpkin; make sure that it has drainage holes. Turn the pot upside down, and place it on top of the pumpkin. Trace around the pot with a marker, then set the pot aside.[10]
- Alternatively, you can skip the pot and fill the pumpkin with soil directly. Use a cup to trace a hole instead.
- Cut along the line that you drew. Use some kind of serrated knife, such as a drywall knife, a steak knife, or a pumpkin carving knife. Once you have the lid cut out, you can discard it or save it for another project.[11]
- If the pumpkin is solid inside, you will need to scoop the foam out until you have a hole big enough to fit the pot into.[12]
- If you will be using the pumpkin as a pot or planter, use a drill to make 1 to 3 drainage holes at the bottom of the pumpkin.
- Fill the pot with cactus soil. Set coffee filter or a scrap of mesh screening over the drainage hole first. This will prevent the soil from spilling out of the pot/pumpkin and making a mess. Fill the pot with cactus soil, then water it until the water drains out of the hole on the bottom.[13]
- If you are using the pumpkin as a planter, follow the same method. Fill the pumpkin all the way to the rim. Any space left inside the pumpkin may lead to rot.
- Plant your succulents into the soil. Choose a variety of different shapes, colors, and sizes.[14] Start with your largest succulent, then fill in the gaps with the medium and small ones.[15] How far apart you space the succulents depends on the variety you are using, so check the care label!
- How many succulents you pick depends on the diameter of your pot or pumpkin opening. For a more visually-pleasing arrangement, use an odd number of succulents.
- Succulents that work well for this include: crassula mesembryanthemoides, crassula ovata gollum, graptosedum "Alpenglow," graptoveria varieties, pachyphytum varieties, and senecio rowleyanus.
- Tuck the pot into the pumpkin. If the pot is too short of the pumpkin and you can't see the succulents sticking out, fill the bottom of the pumpkin with pebbles to give the pot a boost. If you want to, cover any gaps or exposed pot with Spanish moss.[16]
- Don't glue the moss in. Simply tuck it into place around the succulents.
- Skip this step if you are using the pumpkin itself as a pot or planter. The succulents are already planted inside of it.
- Water the succulents when the soil is dry. About once a month, pull the pot out of the pumpkin and water it. Let the excess water drain out before putting the pot back into the pumpkin.[17]
- If you filled your pumpkin with soil instead, keep a dish under it to catch any water that comes out of the drainage holes.[18]
- Keep the centerpieces away from harsh sunlight, heaters, extreme heat/cold, and rain. A place that has good air circulation and gets bright, indirect light would be ideal.[19]
- Add some air plants for a unique touch![20]
- Instead of going for a traditional orange pumpkin, try a more unique color, such as: dark green, green-gray, white, striped, or mottled.[21]
- Spray the succulents with florist's paint/dye to get a surprising color, such as black.
- If you are using a fake, foam pumpkin, you can paint it or decorate it beforehand.
- If you have a black thumb and manage to kill even succulents, consider using plastic ones instead.
EditThings You'll Need EditUsing a Real Pumpkin - Cinderella/fairytale pumpkin
- Sphagnum moss
- Variety of succulents
- Spray adhesive
- Clear gel-based glue or low-temp hot glue
EditUsing a Fake Pumpkin - Fake foam pumpkin
- Pot with drainage hole
- Marker
- Serrated knife
- Cactus soil
- Variety of succulents
- Spanish moss (optional)
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Stop Being Scared After Watching Scary Movies Posted: 20 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT If you watched a scary movie and are now ridden with worry and anxiety, fret not! By doing things like watching a funny show or listening to upbeat music after the movie, you can stop yourself from being scared. With some reassurance and trust, you can easily distance yourself from the fear and feel at peace. EditEasing Anxiety During the Film - Watch the movie in the morning to make it seem less scary. Instead of watching the movie after sunset, turn it on at the beginning of your day. By the time it's time for bed, you'll have a whole day's worth of activities to distract you. As a result, you won't be as scared of the movie.[1]
- You are more likely to get scared of a horror movie if you watch it when it's dark outside.
- This doesn't mean you have to skip the popcorn!
- Avoid watching scary movies by yourself. Oftentimes scary movies seem worse when you are alone and don't have as many distractions. To avoid this, always watch scary movies with at least 1 other person. The more the merrier!
- This way, you are less likely to be scared after the movie is over.
- Talk to yourself or others throughout the movie to ease your mind. Discuss the plot, setting, and characters with your friends or family members if you are watching the movie with others. If you are watching the film by yourself, make comments like "How silly" as the movie plays. This way, you offer reassurance to yourself (and others) and break through any tension created from the plot.[2]
- Making comments about the movie helps reduce stress and makes you feel more relaxed.
- You can say things like, "Did you see how slow she ran!" or "Nice hairstyle," with a sarcastic tone.
- Laugh during the scary part of the movie so you don't get spooked. When the music gets intense and you know something scary is coming, laugh or say something funny. Do this even if you don't think the part of the movie is comical. Laughing alleviates the tension, and the scary moments won't seem as traumatic.[3]
- This also lightens the mood overall, so if you are watching a movie with other people, they will likely relax too.
- Watch the special features to educate yourself on the film. If you see how the movie was made, it often seems less realistic and scary. Most DVDs offer behind-the-scenes features, and you can look up director specials online. The special features usually go in-depth in describing the storyline and detailing the characters, which can make it seem more unrealistic.[4]
- You can also read movie reviews to help you better understand the movie.
EditRelaxing After the Movie - Remind yourself that the movie is not real and you are safe. Say to yourself, "This is fake," and "I am safe," over and over again until you believe it. This may take some repetition and self-trust, but it is helpful to reassure yourself that the movie is a work of fiction. You can remember parts of the movie that are especially cheesy or unrealistic to help convince yourself. Lock your doors if that puts your mind at ease.[5]
- Even scary movies advertised as "based on a true story" are exaggerated and intensified to make it more convincing.
- For example, maybe the villain has bad makeup so you know his real identity the whole time.
- Or, maybe the characters in the movie are unrealistic in real life, like a swamp monster or a zombie. These details can help convince you that the movie is fictitious.
- Do brief exercises for 5-10 minutes to get rid of any extra energy. After you watch a horror movie, you are in a state of "fight or flight." Exercise can help reduce your stress. Do things like dance around, jog in place, do jumping jacks, or have a pillow fight.[6]
- After you let off some steam, you likely will feel less tense and scared.
- Avoid over-exercising before bed. It may be even more difficult to sleep if you are stimulated.
- Distract your mind with an uplifting TV show, movie, or book. An easy way to stop being scared is to distract yourself. Immediately turn on a different movie or TV show, and make sure its a lighthearted subject with a positive tone. This way, you'll focus on the good and not feel worried and anxious.[7]
- Select a comedy or inspiring documentary, for example.
- You can also read a book, flip through a magazine, or draw.
- Additionally, focus on positive upcoming events to keep yourself distracted. Maybe you have an exciting date night or concert to look forward to.
- Spend time with friends or family so you don't feel alone. If you watched a movie with others, continue spending time with them. If you watched the movie by yourself and are scared afterwards, reach out to a friend or family member. Invite them over to hang out, for example. If you are alone, you are more likely to feel scared and worried. Having other people around will reassure you.[8]
- You can cook a meal, chat about your day, or play a game, for example.
EditGetting To Sleep - Sleep with a night light turned on if it makes you feel more safe. Plug a nightlight into a nearby outlet, and turn it on before you go to bed. This way, you can see in the dark and know there are no ghosts or a boogeyman coming for you. Try to only use this after you watch the movie, so you don't depend on the night light every time you go to sleep.[9]
- For example, you can use a decorative night light, like one shaped like a moon or star, or you can use a simple night light.
- Play relaxing music if you are having trouble falling asleep. Background music can lull you to sleep, even if you are worried after watching a scary movie. Before you go to bed, turn on nature sounds like waves crashing on a beach or birds in the forest. Then, let yourself drift off to sleep peacefully.[10]
- Also listen to instrumental sleepytime music, such as "Brahms Lullaby."
- You can listen to this in headphones or through a sound system.
- Tell yourself "It's just a movie" if you wake up in the middle of the night. If you are able to fall asleep but wake up out of fear, remind yourself that you simply had a nightmare and it is not real. Then, repeat to yourself that the scary feelings are just from the movie. Do this until you believe it and fall back asleep.[11]
- Take some deep breaths as you repeat this to yourself. This will help you relax so you can go back to bed.
- Ask a friend or family member to have a sleepover so you're not alone. If you cannot get to sleep no matter how hard you try, you may feel better if you sleep around someone else. Ask a friend, relative, or roommate if you can sleep on their floor, or ask them to sleep in your room. This way, you can more comfortably go to sleep knowing you aren't alone and are safe.[12]
- Do this if you truly are afraid and nothing else seems to work.
- Additionally, bring extra pillows, blankets, snacks, and activities to make it a slumber party! This way, you can have fun while forgetting about your fears.
- If you don't want to watch a scary movie, don't! Only watch scary movies if you want to.
- Imagine someone you look up to or a strong superhero is beating up the villain. This will make you feel better, or at least make you laugh.
- Watch a show where they feature horror costume making and special effects. This way, you can understand the process and not be as scared.
- Use logic. Tell yourself that if zombies/vampires/spirits, etc. didn't exist before you watched the movie, they won't suddenly exist now that you've watched it. And even if they did, what is the likelihood that the scary thing would be in your town of all places?
- If you are already scared after watching a horror movie, avoid watching another scary movie. This will only make you more anxious and paranoid. If you are having a movie marathon, try a comedy instead.
- After the movie is over, avoid doing things to make you more scared, like looking out the window or turning off the lights. This will only make you feel worse!
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Care for Chinchillas Posted: 20 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT Chinchillas are adorable, gentle animals that need attentive care in order to thrive. They make great pets but are sensitive, so they should be handled delicately and housed properly. To keep them happy and healthy, you also need to provide them with a proper diet, give them opportunities for exercise, and keep their cage clean. With planning and ongoing care, your chinchilla will be a wonderful and enjoyable pet for years to come. EditGetting the Right Cage - Provide a large, wire cage. Chinchillas should be kept in cages made of metal. Since they are extremely active animals, the larger the cage, the better. Your chinchilla's cage should be at minimum.[1]
- A tall and wide cage is the best, but tall is better than wide if you can't get both.
- Chinchillas love to jump, so multiple levels are great for them. Try to get a tall cage because they can jump up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) high.
- Glass cages are not good for chinchillas because the glass severely limits air flow.
- Make sure the cage has a solid bottom. A chinchilla can get its feet caught in wire floors, which can cause serious physical harm. A solid floor can be made of hard plastic or plywood and it is helpful if the bottom piece is removable so it can be cleaned thoroughly.[2]
- Ensure that the cage bars are close together. It's important that the chinchilla can't stick its head through the bars. If its head fits through the bars, its whole body will fit through and it can escape. These animals have a lot of fur and small bodies underneath.
- If you choose a wire cage, ensure that there are no bits of wire poking out that your chinchilla could cut itself on if it does try to squeeze through the bars.
- Provide a nesting box for your chinchilla. A nesting box will give your chinchilla somewhere to take refuge if it is scared or tired. This box should measure at least 20 in (50 cm) in length and 10 in (25 cm) width and height, and can be made out of a chew-proof material. The nesting box should be placed on the floor, not on any shelves, because the chinchilla might knock it down.[3]
- Proper nesting boxes can be purchased through pet supply retailers online and in some pet supply stores.
- Place the cage in a high, quiet area. It's important to keep their cage in an area where it is quiet during the day so their sleep cycle is not interrupted. Also, chinchillas do not like being looked down on. You should keep their cage on a counter top or somewhere relatively high up. If you look down on them, it can severely scare them.[4]
- Chins have different psychology from cats and dogs, which are predators. They are prey animals, so they are always fearful of being attacked and eaten.
- Do not put a chinchilla's cage in a spot where a dog, cat, or anything else can harm or injure it.
EditProviding the Proper Environment - Keep your chinchilla cool. Chinchillas overheat easily, so it's ideal to keep them in a room that is between and . They cannot survive temperatures over or below . Also, keep their cage in a room with lots of air flow and make sure their cage is not in a spot where the sunlight can directly land on them. Any amount of direct sunlight can cause them to become overheated very quickly.[5]
- Do not allow them to be in high humidity, either. If you have a humid home, put them near a dehumidifier.
- Provide healthy bedding. Try to use kiln-dried aspen on the floor of your chinchilla's cage. You can also use Carefresh or any other paper bedding, but be aware that, when ingested, the paper will expand in the animal's system, causing possible blockage in the digestive tract.[6]
- Some people use fleece fabric on the bottom of their chinchilla cages. If you do this, the fabric needs to washed weekly and you need to be careful to use only fleece and not other fabrics.[7]
- Also, never use cedar shavings as bedding, as the phenols in the cedar are very strong and cause serious respiratory, skin, coat and liver problems. They are also poisonous to chinchillas if they try to eat them.
- Remove soiled hay and bedding from the cage daily. It's important to keep the bottom of the cage clean so that the animal stays clean and disease doesn't spread. Pick up soiled bedding in areas where the chinchilla goes to the bathroom as soon as you see their waste and put new, clean bedding in its place right away.[8]
- Wash the cage with hot water weekly. It is generally suggested that you use no soap or chemicals on the inside of your chinchilla's cage. Instead, simply use hot water to clean the cage. Swish some water around the cage's plastic pan, then clean it thoroughly with hot water and let it air dry. This is a good way to kill most of the bacteria that can harm your chinchilla.[9]
- Don't ever use bleach or any other chemicals on the cage that could harm your chinchilla.
- If you are housing more than 1 chinchilla in a cage, that cage should be cleaned more than once a week.
EditFeeding a Chinchilla - Provide a constant supply of timothy hay. Your chinchilla should have a supply of good quality timothy hay available to them at all times. Provide it in a bowl or loose on the bottom of the chinchilla's cage.[10]
- You can provide timothy hay in racks and hay balls, but be aware that chinchillas are known for getting stuck in them.
- Providing hay gives your chinchilla necessary fiber. Chewing hay helps them avoid tooth overgrowth.
- Give your chinchilla pellets daily. Pellets provide your chinchilla with a variety of vitamins and nutrients. Choose a pellet that is designed for chinchilla nutrition needs and follow the instructions provided with it for portion sizing. Place the pellets in a food dish and make sure that dish is cleaned daily before the pellets are put in it.[11]
- Most adult chinchillas should eat around 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of pellets every day, depending on what type of pellets they are given.
- Feed chinchillas treats infrequently. Feeding them other snacks too frequently can cause digestive problems. Safe treats include raisins, carrots, apple, oats, dried blackberry leaves, rose petals from plants that have not been sprayed with poisons of any kind, unsweetened cheerios, unsweetened shredded wheat, dried rose hips, and safe wood chew sticks. However, these should be given in very small servings and should only be given once or twice a week.[12]
- Never give fruit, vegetables, nuts, or other treats that are not listed as safe.
- Replace the drinking water daily. Use either filtered water or chemical-free tap water and place it in a water bottle with a sipper tube on the end of it that is connected to the side of their cage. Make sure that they have water in that bottle at all times and put clean water in it every day, even if it still has water in it from the day before.[13]
- Remember to sterilize the water bottle when changing the water. The algae that grows in their water can cause liver problems or severe diarrhea, or even kill a chinchilla.[14]
- Chinchillas cannot handle some naturally occurring bacteria or parasites in water like humans, dogs, and cats can, so you need to be sure that the water you give them is clean.
EditHandling a Chinchilla - Begin handling a chinchilla weekly from an early age. If they are handled from birth, they will be tame and docile. If they have no positive physical contact with people until they are full-grown, they will likely not adjust well to being handled unless they are given extensive training.[15]
- Read a chinchilla's cues to determine if they want to be handled. Chinchillas are usually very friendly but shouldn't be over-handled. Make sure your chinchilla does not bark as you go to pick it up. If it does, don't pick it up. This is one of their ways of telling you to back off.[16]
- Chinchillas have other defenses as well, such as losing fur, biting, and spraying urine. If your chinchilla is doing any of these things, you may be handling it too much.
- Lift your chinchilla properly. Lift your pet like you would for a rabbit. Slide your hand under the chinchilla's belly and place your other hand on top of the chinchilla. Use the hand under the chinchilla to support its hind legs and bum so it feels secure. Don't hold the chinchilla too tightly, but do remember that they can be squirmy, so you need to hold them firmly.[17]
- It is very important that you don't squeeze, especially around the upper torso. Chinchillas have what is known as a "floating ribcage" and you can cause severe internal injuries to it by squeezing that area.
- Make sure to be gentle with them to avoid scaring them.
EditKeeping a Chinchilla Healthy - Give your chinchilla something to chew on for dental health. Chinchillas' teeth grow continuously and can grow up to a year. To avoid overgrowth, which can impact a chinchilla's ability to eat, purchase a special block of wood or pumice stone for your chinchilla to chew on. These are typically available at most pet supply stores.[18]
- Also provide your chinchilla with branches that can be climbed and gnawed on. Ensure that these branches are not cut from trees that have recently been sprayed with chemicals, or that are poisonous, such as yew, laburnum, and fresh pine.
- Recommended trees are sycamore and manzanita, as they provide straight wood that is quite resistant to the chinchilla's sharp teeth. Apple tree branches are another good alternative that can be found quite easily.
- Give your chinchilla dust to bathe in. Water can harm the chinchilla's fur, so you can't give it a bath with water. Instead, give them a dust bath. The "dust" bath is made with a mix of dusting powder made of volcanic ash or activated clay and is available from most pet supply businesses. Place the dust in a metal pan that is at least by and only allow the chinchilla access to it for about 10-15 minutes 2 to 3 times per week.[19]
- The dust baths help the chinchilla get rid of excess grease in their fur.
- Do not get chinchillas wet. Their fur does not dry out like a normal animal, causing it to get damaged and moldy.
- Letting your chinchilla have too much time in the dust bath will cause too much dryness on the animal's coat. However, too little dust bathing will cause their coats to build up oils, which can cause a disfiguring and deadly fungus to grow on their skin.
- Provide exercise opportunities. Chinchillas are very active animals and should have an opportunity to exercise every day. This exercise can be a combination of running around inside their cages and giving them time to run around outside of their cage. [20]
- If you do let your pet out of the cage for supervised play time, it should be in a small room and the room should be chinchilla-proof, which means there are no wires, furniture, or other things for them to chew on.
- Keep in mind that chinchillas can jump several feet (nearly 2 meters) in the air and can squeeze through tiny spaces when you let them out of their cage.
- Chinchillas are nocturnal animals, so exercise time outside of the cage is best in the evening in a big area where they can run around.
- Be wary of using an exercise wheel or ball. Do not provide a wire exercise wheel in their cage. Using wheels like this can cause them to injure their feet. If you want to give them a wheel, make sure it has a solid surface and is large in diameter, so they don't bend their backs too far and injure them.
- Also, never use the giant hamster balls pet stores try to sell you. Instead, let them out in a supervised air-conditioned room, and allow your chinchillas to run freely.
- Watch out for signs of illness. Keep an eye on the general health of your chinchilla so that you can catch health problems early and get them treated. Assess the animal's energy level and physical health daily, looking for changes in how it moves and how much it is eating and drinking. Also look over its coat, making sure there are not areas of fur loss. If you see any of these problems, consult with your veterinarian.[21]
- Look at the clarity of the chinchilla's eyes and for excess drainage from the nose, which can be signs of an infection.
- Also look at the state of the chinchilla's feces. If the consistency changes dramatically, it may have a digestive problem occurring.
- Don't try to hold or get up close with your chinchilla until you earn their trust, because they are shy animals and it can be stressful for them whenever they are cornered in an unfamiliar place.
- Check when you buy any item for a chinchilla from a pet store that it is made specifically for chinchillas and that it is safe.
- Never feed chinchillas human food.
- Keep flimsy plastic away from chinchilla cages. Ingesting plastic can cause sickness and/or death.
- Chinchillas are typically not good for children, because of their rather reserved nature and delicate bodies.
EditThings You'll Need - Large wire cage with a solid bottom
- Wooden or cardboard nesting box
- Bedding
- Food, including mostly timothy hay
- Water
- Water bottle and food dish
- Dust for dust bath
- Chew toys
- Wheel with a solid base to run on
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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